Package trimmer for continuous package forming apparatus



awwn may FIP7904 Jan. 28, 1969 JENSEN ET'AL. 114241942 PACKAGE TRIMMER FOR CONTINUOUS PACKAGE FORMING APPARATUS Original Filed NOv. 4, 1964 Sheet Of 12 INVENTORS HANS A.JENSE|\I AUGUSTUS H. EBEQMAN Jan. 28, 1969 H. A. JEN EN ETAL 3,42%42 PACKAGE I RIMMER FOR CONTINUOUS PACKAGE FORMING APPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 4, 1964 Sheet 3 of 12 INVENTORS HANS A.JENSEN AUGg STUS- H. EBERMAN LM/ wmtgs. I

Jan. 28, 1969 H. A. JENSEN ET AL 3,424,042

PACKAGE TRIMMER FOR CONTINUOUS PACKAGE FORMING APPARATUS Sheet 3 of 12 Original Filed Nov. 4, 1964 4 INVENTGRS HANS A JENSEN A Q GUSTUS H. EBERMAN M QAJJ Jan. 28, 1969 H. A. JENSEN ET AL 3,424,042

PACKAGE TRIMMER FOR CONTINUOUS PACKAGE FORMING APPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 4, 1964 Sheet 4 of 12 INVENTORS HANS A. JENSEN AUGUSTUS H. EBEQMAN 'fig. 6

1969 H. A. JENSEN ET AL 3,424,42

PACKAGE TRIMMER F OR CONTINUOUS PACKAGE FORMING APPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 4, 1964 Sheet 5 of 12 Jan. 28, 1969 H. A. JENSEN ET AL 3,424,042

PACKAGE TRIMMER FOR CONTINUOUS PACKAGE FORMING APPARATUS Original Filed Novv 4, 1964 Sheet 6 of 12 INVENTORS HANS A.JENSEN AUGUSTUS H. EBEQMAN Jan. 28, 1969 H.A. JENSEN ET AL 3,424,042

PACKAGE TRIMMERFOR CONTINUOUS PACKAGE FORMING APPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 4, 1964 Sheet 7 of 12 3 5m INVENTOIQS HANS A.JEI\ISEN fig. JO AUGUSTUS H. EBEQMAN M74 W @5706, M W Wigs I H.A.JENSEN ETAL 3,424,042

Jan. 28, 1969 PACKAGE TRIMMER FOR CONTINUOUS PACKAGE FORMING APPARATUS Sheet of 12 Original Filed Nov 4, 1964 INVENTOIQS HANS A.JENSEN AUGUSTUS H. EBEPMAN PACKAGE TRIMMER FOR-CONTINUOUS PACKAGEFORMIN G APPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 4, 1964 Jan. 28, 1969 IH.YA. JENSEN ET AL.-

Sheet of 12 Jan. '28, I969 H. A. JENSEN E 3,424,042

PACKAGE TRIMMER FOR CONTINUOUS PACKAGE FORMING APPARATUS Original Filed Nov 4, 1964 She et 0 of "12 Jan. 28, 1969 H. A. JENSEN ET AL 3,424,042

PACKAGE TRIMMER FOR CONTINUOUS PACKAGE FORMING APPARATUS Sheet Original Filed Nov. '4, 1964 mm Qw n. l 0 s6 0 hi lli! @N@ www mew mww gw 3w A mam kww w www amw MQQ &% m 7 www mww Em 3w D www 3w wN mmw n- 1969 I H.A. JENSEN ET AL $424,042

PACKAGE TRIMMER FOR CONTINUOUS PACKAGE FORMING APPARATUS Original Filed Nov 4, 1964 Sheet /2 of 12 fig. 18 1 U m l 1 6z5- ezsd 636 668 635 598 594 L I A 650 i9 639 631 19 618 533 635617 j 6/60 606 I 616 615 i 607 655 6&1

INVENTORS HANS A. JENSEN AUGUSTUS H. EBERMAN nited States ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The package trimmer includes a head which moves in timed relation with the advancing packages and which is cammed downwardly for shearing the sealed together films thereby to separate completed packages from the films. The trimmer also includes 'a base member moving in timed relation with films, which base member includes a stripper plate. After the actual trimming operation, the stripper plate serves to lift the sealed together films upwardly relative to the severed package thereby to bring the trailing edge of the opening formed in the films (by the trimming operation) into engagement with the package. By this engagement, continued movement of the films downstream of the package forming machine serves to continue advancement of the packages even though the latter have actually been severed -or trimmed from the films.

This application is a division of Jensen et a1. application, Serial No. 408,842, filed November 4, 1964, now Patent No. 3,349,540. The present invention may be used in association with the package forming apparatus disclosed and claimed in the aforementioned Jensen et al. application. Reference should be had to the Jensen et a1. application for a fuller understanding and description of any of the com-ponents of the package forming apparatus referred to herein.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved package trimmer for successively severing completed packages "from a continuous web in a manner wherein openings are formed in the web upon severing the same, which openings have trailing edges engaging trailing portions of the associated packages for advancing the latter with the web.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a unique clutch for driving the package trimmer so that only completed or filled packages are severed from the advancing web.

FIG. 1a is a top plan view of a downstream portion of a continuous package forming apparatus with which the present invention may be associated;

FIG. 1b is a continuation of FIG. 1a showing the remaining or upstream portion of the package forming apparatus;

FIG. 2a is a side elevation view of the portion of the package forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2b is a continuation of FIG. 2a showing a side 3,424,042 Patented Jan. 28, 1969 elevation of the upstream portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1b;

(The side of the package forming apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b will be termed herein as the near side, and the opposite side of the package forming apparatus will be termed herein as the far side.)

FIGS. 3a through 3f are diagrammatic plan views sequentially showing the formation of packages by the pack age forming apparatus; I

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a completed package formed by the package forming apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the portion of the package forming apparatus within the phantom line designated B in FIG. 2a primarily showing a portion of the support for the lower die plates and showing a clutch and drive for the package trimmer of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5 primarily showing the clutch;

FIG. 7 is a section taken along line 77 of FIG. 6',

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view looking downstream as seen from the near side of the apparatus showing' the portion thereof illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary, perspective view of the clutch as seen looking upstream and from the near side of the apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a section taken along line 1010 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of certain components of the clutch as seen looking generally downstream of the apparatus;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of certain components of the clutch as seen looking generally upstream of the apparatus;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary section takemgen erally along line 13-13 ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 14 is a view as seen looking; down in FIG. 11 with the various parts in their assembled condition;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged section taken along line 1515 of FIG. 2a and showing the package trimmer of the ap paratus of this invention;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective View showing the upper die assembly of the trimmer as seen looking from the near side of the apparatus and generally upstream;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the package trimmer as seen looking from the near side and generally downstream of the apparatus;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of the trimming mechanism illustrated in FIG. 15; and

FIG. 19 is a view taken along line 1919 of FIG. 18.

By way of introduction, the package forming apparatus disclosed and claimed in the aforementioned Jensen et al. application is conveniently divided into zones, such as Package Forming Zone V, Label Applying Zone VI, Package Trimmer Zone VII, etc. The present invention has to do with the package trimmer constituting Package Trimming Zone VII (FIG. 2a) of the continuous package forming machine. The package trimmer is driven by the main power source of the package forming apparatus through a clutch which is contained within the rectangular phantom line designated B in FIG. 2a, which clutch is adjacent the downstream end of the package forming a-p paratus and is powered by main powershaft 30.

The package trimmer of this invention includes unique mechanism for successively trimming the completed packages from the advancing sealed together films in an auto-= matic and continuous manner. The trimming mechanism is driven by means including the aforementioned clutch which is associated with sensing means. The sensing means detects an unfilled package and actuates the clutch for disengaging the trimmer thereby to prevent the latter from trimming the films around the unfilled package. The drive and clutch of the trimmer, illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 12 will now be described.

As best seen in FIG. 5, main drive shaft 30 has the downstream end thereof connected to the input shaft 510 of a gear box 512 by means of a flanged coupling 513. Gear box 512 includes suitable means gearing shaft 510 with a cross shaft 514 (FIG. 6) having opposite ends thereof mounted in journals 515 and 516. These journals are suitably mounted on respective supports 517 and 518 forming part of the supporting structure of the package forming machine. It will be understood that upon operation of the package forming machine, cross shaft 514 is rotated at a constant velocity.

A cam disk 520 is mounted on cross shaft 514 adjacent the near side of the gear box 512. It will be understood that cam disk 520, which includes a through central bore 520a (FIG. 11) for receiving shaft 514, is suitably fixed or keyed to the latter for rotation with the cross shaft. Cam disk 520 includes a continuous cam track 5201; in the near side thereof, which cam track is eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the cam disk.

A disk 522 is also secured to cross shaft 514 adjacent the end thereof mounted in journal 515. It will be understood that disk 522 is secured to the cross shaft for rotation with the latter. Disk 522 includes an integral cylindrical hub 522a (FIG. 12) extending from one side thereof, which hub is rotatably received within a bore 524a of a sprocket wheel 524 for rotatably supporting the latter. Disk 522 further includes a through bore 522b (FIG. '12) extending parallel and in offset relation with the axis of rotation of the disk.

Sprocket wheel 524 includes a through axial bore 524b, preferably of the same diameter as the diameter of bore 522b in disk 522, and spaced from the center of shaft 514 the same distance that bore 522b is spaced from the central axis of the shaft. A cylindrical spacer 525 (FIG. 11) is slidably received within bore 524b, which spacer has a length less than the thickness of sprocket wheel 524. The function and operation of the spacer will be explained hereinbelow. Sprocket wheel 524 is engaged with a double chain 526 for driving the latter in a manner to be explained herein;

A disk 528 including an integral, central, axially extending hub 529 includes a suitable central bore in which shaft 514 is rotatably received. In other words, disk 528 and hub 529 are mounted on shaft 514 for rotation relative to the latter. Disk 528 is mounted adjacent the near side of sprocket Wheel 524, and includes a central circular recess 528a in the near side thereof in which a washer 530 is received. This washer abuts the far side of the sprocket wheel thereby to serve as a spacer to permit relative sliding movement between the adjacent faces of sprocket wheel 524 and disk 528. Cam disk 528 includes an axially extending through'bore 528b, preferably of the same diameter as bore 52% in the sprocket wheel, and spaced from the central axis of shaft 524 the same radial distance as the spacing of bores 522b and 524b.

A pin 531 extends radially from the periphery of disk 528. Another pin 532 extends axially from the far face of disk 528, which pin pivotally engages one end of a link 533.

A rocker arm 535 has an integral hub 535a at one end thereof rotatably supported on a shaft 536 (FIG. 8). :1 he opposite ends of shaft 536 are journaled in a pair of journal members 537, 538 suitably mounted on the supporting structure of the package forming machine. It will be understood that rocker arm 535 is mounted to swing about an axis defined by the longitudinal central axis of shaft 536. The other end of rocker arm 535 mounts a pin 540 which is pivotally received in a bore in. the end of link 533 remote from the end thereof pivotally engaged with pin 532 on disk 528. Rocker arm 535 rotatably supports a cam follower 541 intermediate the ends thereof, which cam follower is received in cam track 52Gb of cam disk 520. Rocker arm 535 extends beneath a collar 542 which is mounted on shaft 514 and acts as a spacer between cam disk 520 and hub 529 associated with disk 528. It should be understood that the arrangement of cam track 52012 is such that upon rotation of cam disk 520, arm 535 is rocked in a vertical plane thereby to oscillate cam disk 528 through an are. In the embodiment of the clutch shown for purposes of illustration, disk 528 is oscillated through an arc of approximately 62.

As best seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, a pin 544 is shiftably mounted in a sleeve 545 secured in bore 522b in disk 522. Sleeve 545 is secured in bore 522b by means of a pair of fasteners 546 which extend through suitable bores in the sleeve and the disk. Sleeve 545 includes a slot 545a (FIGS. 11 and 14) in the wall thereof for receiving one end of a pin 547 slidably mounted in a bore in cam disk 522. A spring 548 is received in this bore and held therein by means of fastener 549. Spring 548 urges pin 547 radially inwardly of sleeve 545.

Pin 544 includes a cavity defining a pair of recesses 544a and 544b separated by a raised or peaked surface. A short pin 551 is alternately received in these recesses and yieldably held therein'by spring biased pin 547. It should be apparent that pin 544 is adapted to be shifted to either of two positions wherein pin 551 is received in either of recesses 544a or 54417.

As noted, pin 544 is bifurcated at one end thereof for rotatably mounting a roller 552. The other end of the pin is of frusto-conical shape adapting it for ready entry into bore 524b of sprocket Wheel 524.

A pin 554 is shiftably mounted in bore 52817 of cam disk 528. This pin is identical in construction and in mounting with pin 544 just described; therefore, the construction and mounting of pin 554 will not be described in detail. It should be sufiicient to state that pin 554 (FIG. 11) is shiftably mounted in a sleeve 555 mounted in bore 52812, and that pin 554 mounts a roller 556 at one end thereof.

The supporting structure of the package trimming apparatus includes a horizontally extending plate 558 (FIGS. 8, 9 and 13) mounting an inverted, U-shaped block 559. Block. 559 includes vertically extending recesses in its side walls which are in registry with vertical openings provided in plate 558. One recess designated 560 is illustrated in FIG. 13, and the registering opening in plate 558 is designated 561. Plates 562 and 563 are mounted to the opposite side walls of block 559 is respective yieldable fastening means 564 and 565 thereby to close the vertical recesses in the block and form vertical guideways for supporting a pair of rods 567 and 568. It will be understood that rods 567 and 568 are mounted for free vertical reciprocal movement in the guideways in the block 559 in the registering bores in support plate 558.

A cam block 570 is attached to the lower end of rod 567 by a fastener 571. Cam block 570 includes a planar face 570a (FIG. 10) which slidably engages a depending;

extension 562a of plate 562. This slidable engagement be tween face 570a and plate extension 562a prevents rotation of the cam block about the axis of rod 567. Cam block 570 also includes inclined faces 57%. The function and operation of the cam block will be explained hereinbelow. Rod 567 includes a recess 567b in its upper end which receives a pin mounted in one end of a cross bar 572, which cross bar is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends from a support member 573 (FIGS. 6 and 9) supported On plate 558.

A cam block 575 (FIG. 13) identical in shape with cam block 570 and opposite hand with respect thereto, is secured to the lower end of rod 568. Rod 568 includes a recess 56811 in its upper end, which recess receives a pin mounted on the other end of cross bar 572.

It should be apparent that pivoting of cross arm 572 causes simultaneous movement of rods 567, 568 in opposite directions. As noted in FIG. 6, cross bar 572 includes an upwardly extending, integral extension having a cavity or recess pivotally receiving one end of a right angle arm 576. Arm 576 is pivotally mounted at its corner or right angle portion from the upper end of block 573. The other end of arm 576 is pivotally mounted to the lower end of a rod 577; this rod has a reduced-in-diameter portion 577a extending between the arms of an H-shaped strap 578a (FIGS. 5 and 8) \which is connected at its upper end to a solenoid 578. A spring 577b encircles rod portion 577a with one of its ends engaging the bight portion of the strap and with its other end engaging a collar 5770 secured to the upper end of rod portion 577b. A coil spring 579 has the lower end thereof secured to the end of cross arm 572 pivotally connected with rod 567 (FIG. 9) and the upper end thereof connected with a block 580 forming a 1 part of the supporting structure of the package forming" apparatus. It should be apparent that spring 579 acts to urge cross arm 572 in the position illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9 thereby to urge cam block 575 to its lower position and cam block 570 to its upper position.

A block 559 has a spring plate 580 (FIGS. 7 and 13) the lower end of 'which includes a depending extension 580a.supporting a small pin 581 adapted to liein the path of movement of cam block '575 thereby to prevent movement of the same. Plate 580 is adapted to be deflected for permitting movement of cam block 575 by being engaged by pin 531 carried by oscillating cam disk 528.

Cam block 570 is arranged relative to disk 522 so that when cam block 570 is in its lowermost position and pin 544 is in the position illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, inclined face 57% engages} roller 552 carried by the pin upon rotation of disk 522 thereby to shift pin 544 so the frusto-conical or tapered end thereof enters bore 524b in sprocket wheel 524 thereby shifting spacer 525 for forcing the tapered end of pin 554 from the bore in sprocket wheel 524. Cam block 575 is arranged relative to disk 528 so that when cam block 575 is in its lowermost position, one of its inclined faces engages roller 556 of pin 554 thereby to shift the latter in bore 52% of disk 528 for entry of the tapered end of pin 554 into bore 52412 of the sprocket wheel. This shifting movement of pin 554 shifts spacer 525 for forcing pin 544 from bore 524b of the sprocket wheel. If for some reason'the various bores in disks 522, 528 and sprocket wheel 524 are not in alignment to permit shifting of the pins by one of the cam blocks, the lowered cam block is allowed to deflect by the associated yieldable fastening means 564 or 565 thereby to prevent damage to the clutch.

Photoelectric sensing means for actuating the clutch are provided adjacent the advancing sealed together films just in advance of the package trimmer which comprises Package Trimming Zone VII of the continuous package forming apparatus disclosed and claimed in the aforementioned Jensen et al. application. The photoelectric sensing means includes a light source 582 and a photo electric cell 583 (shown schematically in FIG. 1a). Light source 582 projects a horizontal beam of light transversely of the films just over the upper surface of the upper film. It will be understood the upper and lower films of package forming material leaving Package Forming Zone V are sealed together with products enclosed therebetween in longitudinal spaced relation of the films (FIG. 3d). When this beam of light is not blocked by a filled package, it strikes photoelectric cell 583 (FIG. 17) for activating the same. This photoelectric cell is electrically connected with solenoid 578 for actuating the latter upon activation of the cell. The means connecting photoelectric cell 583 with solenoid 578 includes suitable time delay means (not shown) to prevent the solenoid from being actuated when the photoelectric cell is struck by the beam of light passing through the spaces between adjacent packages formed between the advancing films.

The operation of the clutch associated with the package trimmer is as follows:

As long as filled packages are successively formed and the beam of light striking the photoelectric cell 583 is successively broken, solenoid S78 remains energized in 'which case rod 577 (FIG. 6) is then in its uppermost position thereby holding cam block 570 (FIG. 13) in its lowermost position and cam block 575 in its uppermost position. When the cam blocks are in these positions, the tapered end of pin 544 in disk 522 is received within bore 524a of sprocket wheel 524; in other words, pin 544 locksdisk 522 and sprocket wheel 524 together.

During the operation of the machine, shaft 514 is ro-' Now assume that an unfilled package passes from Package Forming Zone V. This might occur by the failure of the loading personnel to place a stack of products on one of the loading platforms of feed conveyor 50. (FIG.'1a) which supplies products to the loading conveyor constituting Zone IV. When this unfilled package passes between the photoelectric sensing means consisting oflight source 582 and photoelectric cell 583, the beam of light willf-not be broken and this will activate the photoelectric cell for de-energizing solenoid 578. When the solenoid is de-energized, rod 577 is thereby mechanically unlocked by the solenoid for allowing spring 579 to shift the cam blocks.

As explained above, during rotation of shaft 514 at a consiant velocity,- disk 528 is oscillated by reason of cam roller 541 traveling in cam track 52% of cam disk 520. The arrangement'and design of the various parts which bring about oscillation of disk 528 are such that the latter oscillates through an arc of approximately 62 with pin 531 traveling through an arc of approximately 31 in each 'direction from a vertical plane extending through the axis of rotation of shaft 514. The arrangement of the various parts which oscillate disk 528 are such that the latter is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (FIGS. 5 and 8) with a velocity equal to the angular velocity of shaft 514, disks 520 and 522, and with bore 528b in alignment with bores 524b, 522b.

Each time disk 528 reaches its extreme clockwise POSI? tion (again referring to FIGS. 5 and 8), pin 531 on the periphery of disk 528 strikes spring plate 580 thereby to deflect the latter and move pin 581 (FIG. 7) from the vertical path of travel of cam block 575. When the cam block 575 is in its uppermost position, pin 581 is disposed beneath the cam block thereby to prevent the latter from being lowered when spring plate 580 is not deflected by pin 531. As will become apparent herein, this feature prevents shifting of cam blocks 570, 575, and therefore pins 544 and 554 at times when disks 522, 528 and sprocket wheel 524 are not traveling together at the same angular velocity with their axially extending, radially offset bores in alignment.

Now continuing, when spring plate 580 is deflected as described, cam blocks 570 and 575 are allowed to be shifted to the position illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 13 by spring 579. Accordingly, when cam disk 528 reverses direction and commences to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (with respect to FIGS. 5 and 8) roller 556 on pin 554 is engaged by the inclined face of cam block 575 for shifting pin 554 so that its tapered portion enters bore 524b of the sprocket wheel. It will be recalled that when disk 528 rotates in its counterclockwise direction, it rotates the same velocity as disk 522 and sprocket wheel 524 with bore 528k in alignment with the corresponding bores in disk 522 and sprocket 524. As the tapered end of pin 554 enters the bore in the sprocket wheel, spacer 525 therein is slid along bore 524b for forcing pin 544 from the bore in the sprocket wheel. Pin 544 is allowed to be shifted as cam block 570 is in its raised position. Shifting of pins 544, 554 and spacer 525 provides for connecting sprocket wheel 524 with disk 528 and simultaneously disconnecting the sprocket wheel from disk 522. Therefore, sprocket wheel 524 now oscillates with disk 528.

This oscillating movement of the sprocket wheel provides'corresponding oscillation to chain 526. As will be apparent from the following description of the trimming operation, this oscillation of chain 526 cycles the trimming mechanism in such a manner that the same does not perform a trimming operation. Accordingly, the unfilled package which activated the photoelectric sensing means is not trimmed from the advancing sealed together films and is therefore carried to a windup drum (to be explained below) rather than being deposited with the filled packages.

Sprocket wheel 524 will continue to oscillate with disk 528, until the beam of light emanating from light source 582 is again broken by a filled package, at which time photo-electric cell 583 will be activated for energizing solenoid 578 thereby to lift strap 578a for compressing spring 577b. Then, when plate 580 is deflected by pin 531 for allowing movement of the cam blocks, spring 577b will force rod 577 upward to shift cam block 570 to its lowermost position and cam block 575 to its uppermost position. As roller 552 on pin 544 is engaged by one of the inclined faces 57012 of cam block 570 during counterclockwise rotation of cam disk 522, the pins are shifted for engaging sprocket wheel 524 with disk 522 and simultaneously disconnecting the sprocket wheel from oscillating disk 528. Sprocket wheel 524 will then be rotated at a constant velocity for driving the package trimmer and will continue to do so until the photoelectric sensing means in again actuated by an unfilled package.

Referring now to FIGS. 2a and through 19, the package trimmer will be seen to include a cross shaft 585 (FIG. 15) journaled in hubs 586 and 587 mounted from respective plates 588 and 589 forming a part of the supporting structure of the package forming apparatus. A sprocket wheel 590 is keyed to shaft. 585 adjacent hub 586; chain 526 is trained around the teeth of this sprocket wheel. In other words, chain 526 rotates or oscillates sprocket wheel 590, as the case may be, thereby to impart corresponding movement to cross shaft 585.

An annular member 592 is received on one end of the shaft 585 and secured, as by a number of threaded fasteners, to sprocket wheel 590. Annular member 592 includes an integral, radially extending arm 592a mounting a pin 593 which is pivotally engaged with the lower end of an arm 594. 1

An annular member 596 identical and opposite hand with annular member 592 is fastened to a disk 597 which is keyed to cross shaft 585. Annular member 596 includes an integral, radially extending arm 596a mounting a pin 5945b which is pivotally engaged with the lower end of an 81111598. It should be understood that rotation of cross shaft 585 brings about rotation of arms 592a, 596a thereby to provide oscillating movement to respective arms 594, 598.

An eccentric cam disk 600 includes an eccentric bore receiving cross shaft 585. A hub 601 adjacent one face of the cam disk and secured thereto by a number of fasteners is keyed to cross shaft 585. It will be understood that rotation of cross shaft 585 brings about corresponding rotation of the cam disk. Cam disk 600 includes an annular cam track 600a which has its center eccentric with the longitudinal central axis of shaft 585. This cam track receives a cam roller 603 rotatably mounted on the lower end of rocker arm 604.

Rocker arm 604 is supported intermediate its ends on a shaft 604:: having opposite ends thereof journaled in hubs 60412 and 6040 mounted to respective supporting members 588 and 589. It will be understood that arm 604 is mounted for rocking in a vertical plane about an axis defined by the central axis of shaft 604a. Rocking movement is imparted to rocker arm 604 by cam roller 603 riding in eccentric cam track 600a.

The package trimmer includes a generally rectangular base plate 605 having pairs of rollers 606 and 607 at opposite sides thereof, which rollers roll along respec tive tracks 608 and 609. These tracks, which are suitably mounted on the supporting structure of the apparatus, extend longitudinally of the direction of movement of the advancing sealed together films. The base plate includes additional rollers 610 and 611 at its under marginal portions, which rollers engage the inner faces of confronting tracks 60 8 and 609 thereby laterally to guide base plate 605. The base plate has a block 613 fastened to the underside thereof, which block includes a bore rotatably mounting a pin 614 pivotally engaging the upper end of rocker arm 604. It should be apparent that rocking movement of arm 604 provides horizontal reciprocal movement of base plate 605. The various parts which provide this reciprocal movement to the base member are designed so that the base member moves in its downstream stroke at a velocity equal to the velocity of the advancing sealed together films of package forming material.

As best noted in FIGS. 17 and 18, base 605 has a horizontally disposed die plate 615 secured thereto. This die plate has a peripheral shape which is generally rectangular with rounded corners; the shape of this die plate defines the peripheral shape of a completed package (FIGS. 3 and 4). A stripper plate 616 is mounted on base plate 605 for vertical reciprocal movement relative thereto. The stripper plate includes a number of depending guide pins 617 received in bores in base plate 605. Springs 618 are received in these bores in the base plate, which springs engage the lower ends of pins 617 thereby to urge the stripper plate upwardly. A number of fasteners 617a pass through openings in marginal portions of the stripper plate, and include reduced-in-diameter, lower threaded ends th readingly engaged in blind bores in plate 605. The heads of fasteners 617a contact the upper surface of the stripper plate thereby to limit upward movement of the same. It will be apparent that the stripper plate is yieldingly mounted for downward movement and that springs 618 act to urge the stripper plate to its uppermost position.

The stripper plate includes a central opening corresponding in peripheral shape to the periphery of die plate 615. When stripper plate 616 is in its uppermost position, the horizontally disposed, planar, marginal portions thereof are spaced slightly above the top surface of die plate 615. As noted in FIG. 17, stripper plate 616 includes a downstream, marginal recessed surface 61611 which extends laterally of the direction of film movement for the full width of die plate 615. When stripper plate 616 is in its uppermost position, recessed surface 616a of the stripper plate is flush with the upper surface of die plate 615.

Base plate 605 supports a pair of standards 619, 620 disposed laterally of the direction of film movement. Standards 619 and 620 are slidably received within vertically extending journals 621 and 622, respectively. These journals are mounted within respective vertically extending bores in an upper plate 623. It will be understood that journals 621 and 622 are secured to plate 623 for vertical reciprocal movement with the latter. In other.

words, plate 623 is mounted for vertical reciprocal movement relative to base plate 605. Opposite ends of plate 623 support horizontally extending pins 624, 625 which are pivotally received in the upper ends of respective arms 594 and 598. It should be apparent that oscillation of arms 594 and 598 in the manner described above brings about vertical reciprocal movement of plate 623 relative to base plate 605.

A block 625 is secured to the underside of plate 623 as by a number of fasteners 626 extending through registering vertical bores in plate 623 and block 625 and engaged with nuts 627 (FIG. 17). A horizontally disposed die ring 628 is secured to the underside of block 625 by suitable fastening means, such as a fitting 628a. Die ring 628 includes an upper cavity 630 opening into a lower cavity 631; it will be observed that cavity 630 is offset transversely of the die ring toward the far side of the apparatus. Cavity 631 has a continuous vertical wall which is generally rectangular in shape but with rounded corners; the shape of the vertical wall of cavity 631 corresponds with the peripheral shape of die plate 615 and is dimensioned just slightly larger than the latter so that die plate 615 may be received within cavity 631. As will be explained herein, the shearing action between the vertical wall of cavity 631 and the edge of die plate 615 severes the sealed together films for trimming a completed package from the same. During a trimming operation, upper cavity 630 receives the portion of the package which contains the product. It will be realiied that cavity 631 is supported directly over die plate 615 with the continuous vertical wall of cavity 631 in direct vertical alignment with the continuous vertical edge of die plate 615.

Die ring 628 includes a downwardly facing, horizontally disposed, continuous planar surface 632, which surface is adapted to engage the portion of the upper film which is disposed over stripper plate 616. A plurality of vertically disposed, spaced stripper pins 635 are arranged around the perimeter of cavity 631 just inwardly of the continuous vertical wall defining the same.

FIG. 18 illustrates the mounting of one stripper pin which is typical of the mounting of all the stripper pins. Stripper pin 635 is slidably mounted in a vertical bore in die ring 6218, which bore registers with another larger diameter vertical blind bore in block 625. Pin 635 includes a head 635a which engages the upper surface of ring 628 for limiting downward movement of the pin. A spring 636 is retained in the blind bore in block 625 and engages the upper end of stripper pin 635 for yieldably urging the same to a lowermost position wherein the lower 'end of the stripper pin is disposed slightly beneath die ring surface 632. Spring 636 allows the stripper pin to be forced upwardly wherein the lower end of the latter is spaced above die ring surface 632.

Die ring 628 preferably includes a vertically extending punch pin 639 extending downwardly into the portion of cavity 631 which receives the fiat marginal portion of the package having the label applied thereto. During the trimming operation, punch 639 acts to punch a hole through the label and the flat marginal portion of the package thereby to adapt the package to be suspended from a pin on a display rack, for example.

As noted in FIG. 15, a vacuum cylinder 643 has one end thereof pivotally secured to a plate forming part of the supporting structure of the package forming apparatus. Cylinder 643 includes a piston rod 643a pivotally secured to a block 6 43b fastened to plate 623. Suitable vacuum lines (not shown) extend to the cylinder from Vacuum control means (not shown). The control means actuate cylinder 643 for constantly urging piston rod 643a upwardly thereby to provide a counter-balancing effect to the vertically reciprocal members of the trimmer; this construction brings about smooth operation of the trimming mechanism.

It should be pointed out at this time that inclined rollers 641 and 642 illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 are holddown and guide rollers which engage lateral marginal portions of the completed package bases thereby laterally to guide the sealed together films as they approach the package trimmer.

The operation of the package trimmer is as follows:

As mentioned above, as long as filled packages pass between the sensing means con isting of light source 582 and photoelectric cell 583 (FIG; 1a), drive chain 526 is driven in a uniform manner thereby to rotate cross shaft 585 at a constant velocity. Rotation of shaft 585 causes simultaneous reciprocation of lbase'iplate 605 (and the components supported thereon) andlyertical reciprocation of plate 623 (and the various parts secured thereto). As mentioned above, base 605 moves in'.its downstream stroke at a velocity which is equal to the "velocity of the advancing webs. The arrangement of the 'various parts which vertically reciprocate plate 623 is suchthat the latter is moved downwardly during the downstream stroke of the base of the package trimmer. The trimmer of course operates in timed relation with the advancing webs so that die plate 615 and cavity 631 in the die ring 62 8 are disposed in respective under and over relation with a filled package to be severed from the sealed together advancing films.

As die plate 615, which will be disposed directly beneath a filled package to be severed, moves downstream with the advancing package, plate 623 is simultaneously brought downwardly for performing the trimming operatic-n. During the downward and forward movement of die ring 628, planar surface 632 first contacts the portion of the upper film which is disposed over stripper plate 616. During continued downward and forward movement of die ring 628, stripper plate 616 is forced downwardly thereby causing severing of the sealed together films by the action of die plates "615 entering cavity 631. As mentioned above, the severing action is brought about by the shearing action of the vertical edges of die plate 615 passing in close spaced relation with the continuous vertical wall of cavity 631. During this entry of die plate 615- into cavity 631, stripper pins 635 are simultaneously forced upwardly against their respective springs 636. When die ring 628 reaches its lowermost position, strip er plate 616 is lowered almost to its lowermost position and the product containing portion of the package is received in upper cavity 630 in die ring 628.

As base 605 approaches the downstream limit of its horizontal stroke, die ring 628 commences to be lifted away from die plate 605. During return or upstream movement of base 605, die ring 628 is lifted to its uppermost position.

After die ring 628 has performed a trimming operation and is lifted away'from die plate 615, stripper plate 616 is allowed to move upwardly under the influence of the springs associated with the same, thereby to lift the sealed together films around the package that has just been severed. During the initial upward movement of die ring 628, the severed package itself is held against die plate 615 by the action of stripper pins 635. After die ring 628 has lifted for completely uncovering or exposing a severed package, the severed or trimmed package will be momentarily supported on die plate 615 and the adjacent marginal portions of the sealed together films (which have now been severed from the package) will he supported on the upper surface of stripper plate 616 with the latter in its uppermost position. As the sealed together films continue to be advanced downstream of the apparatus (by means of a windup drum to be referred to herein'below) the trailing edge 644a (FIG. 3f) of the opening 644 formed in the sealed together films by severing a package therefrom engages the trailing vertical wall of the severed package thereby to slide the same downstream from die plate 615. Recess 616a of the stripper plate, which is flush with die plate 615 when stripper 616 is in its uppermost position, allows the completed package to be slid downstream from die plate 615. Accordingly, during upstream movement of base 605 preparatory to another trimming operation, the package just severed is carried or slid downstream by the advancing films.

During the trimming operation, punch 639 in cavity 631 forms a small opening 645 (FIGS. 3 and 4) in the flat marginal portion of the package which supports label 509. As mentioned above, this opening adapts the package to be suspended from a hook on a display rack or the like, for example.

It should be apparent that as long as drive chain 526 is driven in a uniform manner, the trimming mechanism will be operated for successively trimming or severing completed packages from the advancing films in a continuous and automatic manner. Should photoelectric cell 583 (FIGS. 1a and 17) 'be activated by an unfilled package approaching the trimmer, the clutch forming a part of the package trimmer drive will be actuated for bringing about oscillating movement of drive chain 526. This oscillating movement of the drive chain causes horizontal reciprocation of base 605 and simultaneous vertical reciprocation of plate 623 through strokes which are substantially less than their full strokes; accordingly, die ring 628 is not brought into contact with the advancing films and the unfilled package is not trimmed from the trimmer. As soon as a filled package intercepts the light beam being directed on photoelectric cell 583, the clutch is actuated again to drive chain 526 in a continuous manner thereby to operate the trimming mechanism for trimming filled packages in a continuous and automatic manner.

While the invention has been shown in but only one form, it is not to be so limited. On the contrary, the invention is susceptible of various forms and modifications Without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a continuous package forming machine of the type which advances a web of package forming material and forms packages with the same in spaced relation longitudinally of the web and in spaced relation with the margins of the same, means for trimming the web thereby to separate packages therefrom comprising, structure supporting the web for movement along a generally horizontal run, said structure including a base disposed beneath said web, said base including a horizontally disposed die plate mounted to engage the undersurface of said web and having a shape corresponding to the marginal shape of the packages, a stripper plate mounted on said base for vertical reciprocal movement relative thereto, spring means on the base yieldably holding the stripper plate in an uppermost position, said stripper plate including a horizontally disposed planar marginal surface extending around a portion of the periphery of said die plate and joining with a vertically relieved downstream surface which extends around the remaining peripheral portion of the die plate, which downstream surface extends from one lateral extremity of the die plate to the other lateral extremity thereof and is substantially flush with the upper surface of said die plate when the stripper plate is in its uppermost position, said marginal surface of the stripper plate being disposed slightly above the upper surface of said die plate when thestripper plate is in its uppermost position, means supporting an upper member for vertical reciprocal movement above the base, said upper member including a die ring having a horizontally disposed, downwardly facing surface defining a cavity having a continuous vertical wall corresponding in shape to said die plate and being directly vertically aligned over the latter, which cavity is adapted to receive said packages one at a time, means for moving said upper member downwardly so that the planar surface of the die ring forces the web and said stripper downwardly thereby severing the web by the shearing action of the edges of the die plate and the vertical wall of the cavity in said die ring, and means for lifting said upper member after the web has been severed thereby allowing the stripper plate to lift the web around the package severed from the former, whereby the trailing edge of the web opening formed by trimming a package therefrom engages the package for carrying the same along with the web.

2. The structure according to claim 1 wherein said upper member includes a plurality of vertically extending stripper pins in the cavity therein in close spaced relation with said vertical wall, said pins each being supported for veritcal reciprocal movement relative to said upper member and being spring biased to a lowermost, position wherein the lower end of each pin projects below said surface of the upper member and movable to an upper position wherein the lower end of each pin is disposed above said surface of the upper member, the lower ends of said pins being adapted to engage the margin of a severed package thereby to hold the same on the die plate as the web is lifted by said stripper plate.

3. In a packaging machine of the type which advances a continuous web and continuously forms packages with the web in spaced relation longitudinally of the latter and in spaced relation with the margins of the web, means for trimming the web asit is advanced thereby to separate the packages from theweb comprising, structure supporting the web for movement along a generally horizontal run, said structure including a base disposed beneath said Web and supported for reciprocable movement longitudinally of the web'along its horizontal run, said base including a horizontally disposed die plate mounted to engage the undersurface of said web and having a shape corresponding to the marginal shape of the packages, first means for reciprocating the base in timed relation with the advancing web so that the base moves in one direction with a velocity equal to the velocity of the web with the die plate disposed beneath a package, a stripper plate mounted on said base for vertical reciprocable movement relative thereto, spring means on the base yieldably holding the stripper plate in an uppermost position, said stripper plate including a horizontally disposed planar marginal surface extending around a portion of the periphery of said die plate and joining with a vertically relieved downstream surface which extends around the remaining peripheral portion of the die plate, which downstream surface extends from one lateral extremity of the die plate to the other lateral extremity thereof and is substantially flush with the upper surface of said die plate when the stripper plate is in its uppermost position, said marginal surface of the stripper plate being disposed slightly above the upper surface of said die plate when the stripper plate is in its uppermost position, said base including upright means supporting an upper member for vertical reciprocable movement above the base, said upper member including a die ring having a horizontally disposed, downwardly facing surface defining a cavity having a continuous vertical wall corresponding in shape to said die plate and being directly vertically aligned over the latter, which cavity is adapted to receive said packages'one at a time, second means for moving said upper member downwardly during movement of said base in said one direction and in timed relation with the web so that the planar surface of the die ring forces the web and said stripper plate downwardly thereby severing the web by the shearing action of the edges of the die plate and the vertical wall of the cavity in said die ring, said second means being adapted to lift said upper member after the web has been severed thereby allowing the stripper plate to lift the web around the package severed from the former, whereby the trailing edge of the web opening formed by trimming a package therefrom engages the package and carries the same along with the advancing web.

4. The structure according to claim 3 wherein said die ring includes a plurality of vertically extending stripper pins in the cavity therein in close spaced relation With the vertical wall of the cavity, said pins each being supported for vertical reciprocable movement relative to the upper die ring and spring biased to a lowermost position wherein the lower end of the pin projects below said surface of the die ring and movable to an upper position where the lower end of the pin is disposed above said surface of the die 13 ring, the lower ends of said pins being adapted to engage the margin of a severed package thereby to hold the same on the die plate as the Web is lifted by said stripper plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 5,635 10/1873 Delkescamp 83125 389,763 9/1888 Rock 83-128 3,064,511 11/1962 Allander 83-443 X 3,088,353 5/1963 Hanington 83--25 X 10 14 FOREIGN lATENTS 375,468 5/1907 France. 672,406 5/1952 Great Britain.

5 ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner.

FRANK T. YOST, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 83-125, 128 

